Four months ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters launched the Be There Now! campaign with a lofty goal in mind—to identify and recruit 600 new volunteers in just six months. Now, with 402 new Bigs since the start of the campaign, they are just 198 away from reaching that goal. But, with more than 1,100 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister, there’s never been a better time than now to get involved. For the Littles, the impact of having a mentor is powerful. Independent studies conducted by Public/Private Ventures, a national research organization, demonstrate the power of these …

Since 1923, United Way has been a steady partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping to ensure funding for the agency for more than 70 years. And now it is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri’s turn to give back, as agency staff members participate in fund raising events to help the United Way reach the $71 million goal for this year’s annual campaign. With its network of nearly 200 agencies, the United Way invests $1 million in the community every week to child-care agencies, emergency shelters, food pantries and more. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, this funding enables the agency to…

Until last summer, 17-year-old Thomas had to be the man around the house to his five siblings while also attending classes at the Construction Careers Center and trying to figure out how he would ever get into college. “I’m the oldest of six kids and it’s hard,” Thomas said. “My mom works all the time, and I’ve got to be like their parent.” But in June 2010, he met Mark Winschel, a project manager for S.M. Wilson & Co.  and a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Winschel was paired with Thomas, and they’ve been building a close friendship ever since. They meet …

At the celebration of Bruce Fleming’s 15-year anniversary with Big Brothers Big Sisters, St. Louis City officials Harry Kennedy and Maurice Falls, on behalf of Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, presented Fleming with a special proclamation to honor his service to at the agency.  Current and former BBBS staff, family and friends also joined Fleming at his anniversary celebration to show their admiration and respect for all that he has given to the agency. “Bruce is the soul of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and everyone here tonight is here for Bruce,” said Becky James-Hatter, president and CEO. …

Upper End Properties, a full-service real-estate company based in Clayton, is excited to join forces with St. Louis Rams Wide Receiver Mike Sims-Walker to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. With every touchdown reception by Sims-Walker during the 2011 season, Upper End will donate $1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.  “I think Mike is going to have a big year for the Rams, so we felt that he was the perfect guy to do a promotion like this with” said Cory Spielberg, operating partner of Upper End Properties.  If recent history is any barometer, Spielberg’s prediction may …

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of more than 700,000 volunteers in the area, St. Louis has been ranked 10th out of all major cities across the country in its volunteer rate. According to annual research from Volunteering in America, more than 31.3 percent of St. Louis residents donate their time to volunteer work. This, of course, comes as no surprise to the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters. The agency has always relied on the generous contributions of its volunteers. In 2011, nearly 2,800 volunteers will assist Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri in carrying out its mission …

Nicholas, an eighth-grader in St. Louis Public Schools, smiles with his whole face as he describes his relationship with his Big Brother, Ben. Nick and Ben have been matched for more than five years now, and it is not hard to see the impact that their friendship has had.  Nick remembers meeting Ben when he was just a third-grader. “I wasn’t nervous,” Nick said. “No, I felt like I knew him right away.” Since that moment, Nick and Ben have gotten to know each another over homework assignments, video games and lots and lots of basketball. Now, five years later, Nick has a friend he knows he can …

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know that relationships have the power to change and transform lives. With this in mind, we built a relationship model that leverages the most significant adults in a Little’s life—their parents, teachers, Big Brothers or Big Sisters, donors, and our professional program staff—to open the doors of communication and foster the growth of trusting relationships. This model puts the child at the center and highlights the critical but different roles of the team of adults united on the child's behalf. As part of this team, the Big takes on a very special role as not…

With temperatures soaring, it is hard to believe that summer is almost winding to an end. But at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we’re gearing up for back-to-school season. In just over three weeks, it will be time for our Littles to set their alarms, pack up their backpacks and head to school.  Back to school has always been a big focus at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Each year, our annual school supply fair helps make sure our Littles are equipped with the tools they need for success in the classroom. In addition, we encourage our Bigs to make reminder calls the night before school starts to ensure …

Two weeks ago, over pizza, I asked a simple question, but it was one I hadn’t asked in years. "Do you want to spend the night at my house soon? Would that be cool?" My 11-year-old Little Sister could hardly contain her excitement. Deja's face lit up with a smile, and she clapped her hands. "Yes!" she exclaimed mid-bite. It was all she could talk about as we finished dinner and drove back to her house. Can we swim, she asked. Can we go to the movies? Can we go out to eat? Can we watch a movie at home? Can we play? She was bursting with ideas—so many that I actually had to cut her short and …

Before the big leaguers took the field at the July 10 St. Louis Cardinals game, a different set of all-stars was honored at Busch Stadium. Nearly 50 Little Brothers and Sisters were recognized at the annual graduation ceremony held by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBS). To celebrate the achievements of the accomplished group of Littles, BBBS Staff and Bigs presented the graduating Littles with awards and certificates before enjoying the celebratory lunch. One graduating Little Sister stood out in particular. Shelley, an 18-year-old Little who had been matched with her Big …

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBS) launched a brand new campaign aiming to recruit 600 new volunteers in six months. "Be There Now" is calling on all of the organization's dedicated supporters to help to generate awareness among their friends and colleagues or become Big Brothers or Big Sisters themselves.  With more than 1,000 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister, there’s never been a better time than now to get involved. The impact of having a mentor is incredibly powerful, yet the requirements to become one are easier than you might think:  You must be 18 or …